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IV of Spades

"IVOS" redirects here. For other uses, see Ivos.

IV of Spades
IV of Spades members (from left to right): Salonga, Benitez, De Castro, and Silonga
IV of Spades members (from left to right): Salonga, Benitez, De Castro, and Silonga
Background information
Also known asIVOS
OriginMetro Manila
Genres
Years active
  • 2014–2020
  • 2025–present
Labels
Members
Websiteivofspades.com[5]

IV of Spades (stylized in all caps; pronounced "four of spades"[6]) is a Filipino rock band from Metro Manila, Philippines, consisting of vocalist, bassist and keyboardist Zild Benitez, vocalist and lead guitarist Blaster Silonga, drummer Badjao de Castro, vocalist and rhythm guitarist Unique Salonga. The band first gained exposure with the release of their fourth single, "Mundo" (2018).[4][7] Their first album, ClapClapClap!, was released on January 18, 2019. The band went on hiatus on August 21, 2020,[8] and returned in 2025 with the release of the single "Aura".

Their musical style has been described as "pop funk"[9] and funk rock by the local press.[a] IV of Spades has been nominated for several musical awards, both in the Philippines and internationally.[14] The band is also known for their 1970s-inspired outfits.[15]

History

[edit]

2014–2017: Early years

[edit]

In July 2014, Allan Mitchell Silonga also known as "Daddy A" planned and decided to form a band for his son Blaster, who would become the band's lead guitarist and vocalist. Daddy A handpicked and recruited drummer Badjao de Castro and bassist Zild Benitez, who are the sons of Daddy A's musician friends Franklin Benitez and Chuck de Castro. Unique Salonga, is recruited last by Daddy A through his father Randy Salonga, he used to play guitars for Daddy A's vocal group Daddy's Home. Unique already writing his own music, was later recruited to become the band's lead singer.[16][17]

Most of the band members are sons of musicians. Blaster's father, Allan Silonga aka Daddy A is a member of a band in the 90s band Kindred Garden, which evolved after a while as k24/7 as the first R&B and Hip-hop band during that era and the singing group Daddy's Home which finished third in The X Factor Philippines.[18][19] Zild's father, Franklin Benitez, was the drummer of Hungry Young Poets and Barbie's Cradle.[18][20] Badjao's father, Chuck de Castro, was a member of Makatha & Posivity Band and was also a session rhythm guitarist of the Rage Band. Blaster and Zild gained popularity when they became contestants for Eat Bulaga!'s hit contest, Music Hero. Zild was the first member of the Music Hero Squad and was the Bass Guitar grand champion; Blaster won the Electric Guitar grand champion and the title of Ultimate Music Hero.[21]

IV of Spades signed to a record label and released their debut single "Ilaw sa Daan" (transl. street light) under Warner Music Philippines.[22]

The group's second single, “Hey Barbara” was released on July 9, 2017, and followed up by their third single “Where Have You Been My Disco?”, released on December 9, 2017.

2018–2019: "Mundo", Unique's departure and Clapclapclap! studio album

[edit]

In 2018, the band released their fourth single called "Mundo". A video of their live performance on the song, which was uploaded on Metro Manila-based radio station Wish 107.5's YouTube channel, became the group's highest viewed single on YouTube with 176 million views as of September 2024.[23]

IV of Spades won the New Artist of the Year, MYX Bandarito Performance of the Year, and Nominated as Group the Year at the annual MYX Music Awards.[24] The band also won the Dreams Come True with Air Asia, the airline's search for the most promising acts in the region. The band performed with David Foster as part of their prize. They also won the Favorite New Group award at the 30th annual Awit Awards.[25]

On May 5, 2018, the band announced on their official social media accounts that lead vocalist Unique Salonga had left in order to pursue personal endeavors.[26]

On July 12, 2018, the song "In My Prison" was released simultaneously on Spotify and YouTube. It is the band's first single after Salonga's departure, with Benitez taking over full-time as lead vocalist.[27] They released their sixth single, "Bata, Dahan-Dahan!" on September 14, 2018. After they released their sixth single, they released another single "Sa Kahapon" and this time, with hip-hop artist and rapper Shanti Dope for Coke Studio Homecoming.[28]

In October, IV of Spades was nominated for the Best Southeast Asia Act category in the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards[29][30][31] but lost to Joe Flizzow of Malaysian hip-hop group Too Phat. Within the same month, they returned to Wish 107.5 and collaborated with Moira dela Torre with a new song entitled "Huli Na Ba Ang Lahat". The song was first unveiled during a digital concert held on October 8, 2018. The show, staged by Acer Philippines in partnership with Wish 107.5, was part of the annually-held Acer Day celebration.[32]

The band released their only studio album, ClapClapClap!, on January 18, 2019. It consisted of 15 songs, the most popular being Come Inside of My Heart.

2020–2024: Hiatus

[edit]

The band then released their seventh single entitled "Ang Pinagmulan", on February 16, 2020. After 2 months, they released their final single recorded "Sariling Multo (Sa Panaginip)", on April 17, 2020. On August 21, 2020, the band announced their hiatus.[33] The band members have since been focused on other solo and group projects outside of IV of Spades.

2025–present: Reunion

[edit]

On July 16, 2025, IV of Spades announced their return from hiatus with the release of a single titled "Aura". Salonga had also rejoined the band.[34] On August 13, the band has surprise-released their second single, titled "Nanaman" (lit. 'Again').[35]

Musical style and influences

[edit]

IV of Spades is heavily inspired by 1970s fashion, acts and sounds. Members of the band have cited various musical groups and artists as songwriting influences, including ABBA, Kings of Leon, Tame Impala, My Chemical Romance, Radiohead, and Jet.[36]

Band members

[edit]

Timeline

[edit]

Discography

[edit]
Main article: IV of Spades discography

Tours

[edit]

Headlining

  • The Sweet Shadow Tour (2019)

Supporting

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, award category, nominee(s) of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee(s)/work(s) Result Ref.
Awit Awards 2018 Best Performance by a Group Recording Artist "Hey Barbara" Won [38]
Favorite Performance by a Group Recording Artist Won
Record of the Year Won
Music Video Of The Year "Where Have You Been, My Disco" Won
2019 Music Video of the Year "Take That Man" Nominated [39]
Record of the Year "Mundo" Nominated
Song of the Year Nominated
2020 Album of the Year "ClapClapClap!" Won [40]
Record of the Year "Bawat Kaluluwa" Won
LionHearTV RAWR Awards 2018 Hugot Song of the Year "Mundo" Won [41]
MOR Pinoy Music Awards 2019 Band of the Year "Mundo" Nominated [42]
Song of the Year Nominated
MTV European Music Awards 2018 Best Southeast Asian Act "IV of Spades" Nominated
MYX Music Awards 2018 Group of the Year "IV of Spades" Nominated [43]
Myx Bandarito Performance of the Year Won
New Artist of the Year Won
2019 Artist of the Year "IV of Spades" Nominated [44][45]
Group of the Year Nominated
Music Video of the Year "In My Prison" Nominated
Rock Video of the Year Won
Song of the Year "Mundo" Won
2020 Artist of the Year "IV of Spades" Nominated [46][47]
Collaboration of the Year "Nagbabalik" (with Rico Blanco) Nominated
Music Video of the Year "Come Inside of My Heart" Nominated
Rock Video of the Year Won
Song of the Year Nominated
2021 Music Video of the Year "Ang Pinagmulan" Nominated [48]
Rock Video of the Year
PMPC Star Awards for Music Duo/Group Concert Performer of the Year "Rico Blanco x IV of Spades Live in Concert!" Nominated [49]
Village Pipol Choice Awards 2019 Group Performer of the Year "IV of Spades" Nominated [50]
Wish Music Awards 2018 Wishclusive Urban Performance of the Year "Ilaw Sa Daan" Won [51]
Wish Promising Artist of the Year "IV of Spades" Nominated
Wish Rock/Alternative Song of the Year "Hey Barbara" Nominated
2019 Wishclusive Collaboration of the Year "Huli Na Ba Ang Lahat" (with Moira Dela Torre) Nominated [52]
Wishclusive Rock/Alternative Performance of the Year "Mundo" Won
Wish Group of the Year "IV of Spades" Won
Wish Rock/Alternative Song of the Year "In My Prison" Nominated
2020 Wishclusive Rock/Alternative Performance of the Year "Bawa't Kaluluwa" Won [53][54]
Wish Group of the Year "IV of Spades" Nominated
Wish Rock/Alternative Song of the Year "Nagbabalik" Won

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Attributed to multiple sources[10][3][11][12][13]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "IV of Spades is off to MTV Europe Music Awards". The Manila Times Online. October 25, 2018. Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  2. ^ "OPM in 2018 (Part 2)". The Manila Times Online. January 3, 2019. Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Rappler.com. "What to expect at Malasimbo 2019". Rappler. Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Aguilar, Krissy. "WATCH: IV of Spades releases 'Bawat Kaluluwa' music video". entertainment.inquirer.net. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  5. ^ "IV of Spades". Archived from the original on February 25, 2018.
  6. ^ "IV of Spades debut track "Ilaw Sa Daan"". InqPOP!. Philippine Daily Inquirer. July 10, 2017. Archived from the original on July 10, 2017. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  7. ^ "Hey, Barbara! Hey, fans! IV of Spades is not disbanding". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  8. ^ Severo, Jan Milo (August 22, 2020). "IV of Spades on indefinite hiatus". Philstar.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  9. ^ Rappler.com. "[WATCH] Rappler Live Jam: IV of Spades". Rappler. Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  10. ^ Rappler.com. "Unique Salonga exits IV of Spades". Rappler. Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  11. ^ "IV of Spades headlines Shangri-La Plaza's August festivities". Manila Standard. Archived from the original on January 29, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  12. ^ Rappler.com. "IV of Spades to open for Panic! At The Disco in Manila". Rappler. Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  13. ^ "Malasimbo is moving to a new venue, promising wild jungle, virgin beach and great sunset views". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  14. ^ "IV of Spades scores MTV Europe Music Awards nomination". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on January 21, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  15. ^ "Rappler Live Jam: IV of Spades". Rappler. February 14, 2018. Archived from the original on April 7, 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  16. ^ Gloria, Gaby (October 21, 2017). "IV of Spades is ready to boogie". Youngstar. The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on March 8, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  17. ^ Fernandez, Denise (December 1, 2017). "Here's why IV OF SPADES is about to become your new favorite band". Scout Magazine. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  18. ^ a b Bernardino, Stephanie Marie (March 23, 2018). "10 minutes with IV of Spades". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  19. ^ Orosa, Rosalinda (February 15, 2015). "For The Love Of Daddy tonight". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  20. ^ Estrella, Fiel (March 29, 2018). "How IV of Spades Uses Music and Style to Take Over the OPM Scene". Preview. Summit Media. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  21. ^ "'Eat Bulaga' Has Big Plans for Ultimate Music Hero". Manila Standard. March 3, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  22. ^ "Here's why IV OF SPADES is about to become your new favorite band - Scout Magazine". December 1, 2017. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  23. ^ IV of Spades perform "Mundo" LIVE on Wish 107.5 Bus, retrieved September 19, 2023
  24. ^ "The boys of IV of Spades get into the Myx | BusinessMirror". businessmirror.com.ph. Archived from the original on April 7, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  25. ^ "IV of Spades to continue without vocalist Unique Salonga". GMA News Online. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  26. ^ Bernardino, Stephanie Marie (May 5, 2018). "Unique Salonga leaves IV of Spades". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  27. ^ "WATCH: IV of Spades releases new song, video 'In My Prison'". Rappler. July 13, 2018. Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved July 14, 2018.
  28. ^ Singh, Surej (November 13, 2019). "IV of Spades and Shanti Dope wow at debut Singapore concert". bandwagon.asia. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  29. ^ Aguilar, Krissy. "IV of Spades nominated for Best Southeast Asia Act at MTV EMAs". entertainment.inquirer.net. Archived from the original on January 26, 2025. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  30. ^ "IV of Spades gets MTV Europe Music Awards nomination". philstar.com. Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  31. ^ "IV of Spades competes in EMA Best Southeast Asian Act". philstar.com. Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  32. ^ "#AcerDay Brings an Original Collaboration: Moira and IVOS - "Huli Na Ba Ang Lahat"". YouTube. October 10, 2018. Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  33. ^ Severo, Jan Milo (August 22, 2020). "IV of Spades on indefinite hiatus". Philstar.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  34. ^ Go, Mayks (July 16, 2025). "IV Of Spades Make Long-Awaited Return With New Single "Aura"". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  35. ^ Saulog, Gabriel (August 13, 2025). "IV Of Spades Drop Surprise Single "Nanaman"". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  36. ^ "The boys of IV of Spades are just like us". Scout Magazine. February 2, 2019. Archived from the original on February 3, 2019. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  37. ^ Aguilar, Krissy (October 17, 2018). "IV of Spades to open Panic! At the Disco concert". entertainment.inquirer.net. Archived from the original on January 26, 2025. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  38. ^ "KZ, Gloc-9, IV of Spades Win Top Prizes at 31st Awit Awards". pop.inquirer.net. October 19, 2018. Archived from the original on November 19, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
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  40. ^ "FULL LIST: Winners, Awit Awards 2020". Rappler. August 29, 2020. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  41. ^ "RAWR Awards bare its official winners for the Year 2018". lionheartv.net. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2018.
  42. ^ "2020 MOR Pinoy Music Awards Nominees". onemusic.ph. Archived from the original on May 14, 2019. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  43. ^ "Awit Awards 2019: Full list of nominees". ABS-CBN News Online. July 23, 2019. Archived from the original on January 30, 2022. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  44. ^ "FULL LIST: MYX Music Awards 2019 nominees". rappler.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  45. ^ "List: MYX Music Awards 2019 Winners". abs-cbn.com. Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  46. ^ "MYX Awards 2020: Full list of nominees". push.abs-cbn.com. Archived from the original on January 24, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  47. ^ "FULL LIST: Winners, MYX Music Awards 2020". rappler.com. Archived from the original on July 27, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  48. ^ "LIST: MYX Awards 2021 nominees revealed". news.abs-cbn.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  49. ^ "Artists win at 12th PMPC Star Awards for Music". news.abs-cbn.com. October 11, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  50. ^ "Village Pipol Choice Awards 2019: Full and official list of nominees". villagepipol.com. December 4, 2019. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  51. ^ "The 3rd Wish 107.5 Music Awards Winners". Wish 107.5. January 15, 2018. Archived from the original on July 24, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  52. ^ "The 4th Wish 107.5 Music Awards: Nominees, New Categories, and More". Wish 107.5. December 12, 2018. Archived from the original on December 31, 2018. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  53. ^ "COMPLETE LIST: 5th Wish 107.5 Music Awards Nominees". Wish 107.5. December 14, 2019. Archived from the original on December 31, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  54. ^ "5th Wish 107.5 Music Awards: Complete List of Winners". Wish 107.5. January 19, 2020. Archived from the original on January 29, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2020.